Seasonal variation of water quality parameters of surface water in mining areas
Management of Environmental Quality
ISSN: 1477-7835
Article publication date: 17 June 2022
Issue publication date: 6 July 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and other physicochemical parameters of the Birim River, which serves for drinking and domestic purposes for rural mining communities, were analysed to assess the suitability of water quality for human consumption.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 40 samples were collected from 20 sampling sites during the rainy season from July to September and the dry season from December to February in addition to two repeat samples and two blank samples. Samples were analysed for physiochemical parameters and the results were compared with World Health Organisation standards (WHO).
Findings
Data obtained for both rainy and dry seasons indicated TOC ranged from 1.1 to 7.3 mg/L and DOC 1–7.2 mg/L; pH, 5.6–8.63; temperature, 23.3–29.3°C; turbidity, <1.00–869NTU; apparent colour, <2.5–600 mg/L Pt-Co; true colour <2.5–150 mg/L Pt-Co; alkalinity, 27.8–80.4 mg/L; total suspended solids, <1.00–998 mg/L; electrical conductivity, 82–184 µS/cm; and bicarbonate, 33.9–98.1 mg/L. Particulate organic carbon (POC) was constituted between 1 and 10% of the TOC. Values for pH, turbidity, total suspended solids, and true colour indicated contamination of the river. p -value of <0.05 between seasons for the physicochemical parameters also suggests that the water is polluted.
Practical implications
Water from the Birim River is unsuitable for human consumption and may constitute a serious health risk to the consumers.
Originality/value
The paper yields immense value to inhabitant of communities using surface water affected by mining activities, policy makers in sustainability. It warns of the unsuitability of water from the Birim River for human consumption due to the potential health risk to consumers.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. This study mainly focussed on water quality in surface water specifically the Birim River in Ghana. The authors' research did not receive any financial supports or any other relationship with other people or organisations.
Citation
Yirenkyi-Fianko, A.B., Yanful, E.K. and Ottou, J.A. (2022), "Seasonal variation of water quality parameters of surface water in mining areas", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 33 No. 5, pp. 1290-1304. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-02-2022-0037
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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